Displaced children in Lebanon inspire with prayers and faith
Between tears and gasps, displaced children from the South of Lebanon spread a message of hope with faith-filled prayers after weeks of war.
“Jesus you are the friend of children. You went through pain during the Holy Week and so you can understand our pain. Today, I pray for all children who got hurt or lost their homes in the war on the South. Lord, touch them with your hand and heal their pain. Be the strength for them and their families. Let them all smile and play like all children. Amen,” Hady, aged 10, prayed.
He was among children and families taking part in a special episode of SAT-7 ARABIC’s You Are Not Alone programme filmed at a displacement centre for those who have had to flee their homes in southern Lebanon during the conflict.
Despite leaving behind their homes, churches and friends, the children from different towns showed strong faith in Christ and even prayed for and encouraged others.
Salma, aged 13, shared a helpful message for younger children:
“When I am afraid, I think of something I love so that I stay rested and stronger. I think of my family, and this makes me stronger. I think of Jesus and my town and pray to return. I think of this as a vacation, so I don’t get upset about leaving our town.”
DANGER AND DISPLACEMENT
The conflict in Lebanon has forced over a million people – around one in five – to leave their homes over the last six weeks. A ten-day ceasefire is now in place between Lebanon and Israel, but there remains much uncertainty over what happens next.
The episode of You Are Not Alone focused on those taking refuge at St Anne Youth Home in Rabieh in the foothills of Mount Lebanon. Several families fled there having received notifications that their houses were in the line of fire. They described long and dangerous journeys.
It took Jessy and her family 25 hours to get there. “We prayed while in the car driving away,” she said. “We were afraid a missile would strike the cars that were filling the road. I was afraid for the safety of my children because they are hope. They are everything. As a mother, I don’t think of myself.”
The displaced families were welcomed by Father Sassine Gregoire who runs the St Anne Youth Home, and provided them with food and clothing. Having experienced displacement himself as a child in Lebanon, Father Sassine understands what the families are going through.
“It is great to see the children having such faith,” he said. “But how can their faith grow when there’s no structure to grow in? If they return to their towns, what will they see? Destruction. There has been one crisis after another.”
“FEAR NOT”
Maretta, one of the displaced children, opened her Bible and shared her favourite verses that gave her peace during their plight.
“The Bible is our only comfort that gives us strength despite all the difficulties we face,” she said. “In the Bible, the words ‘Fear Not’ are mentioned 365 times for all the days of the year. Jesus knew we would fear and reminds us not to fear despite all that we face. His message for us is to be strong and not fear but to pray.”
Alondra, another girl at the centre, prayed for her homeland and the wider region: “Our hearts ache for Lebanon and the whole of the Middle East. Lord, look at every displaced and needy person and give them provision and dignity and give true peace to every injured country and the people awaiting your salvation.”
The families sheltering at St Anne Youth Home are hoping to return to their homes in the south when the conflict ends.
“As soon as the war is over, we want to go back to our homes and help others,” Estelle, one of the children, said. “Jesus loves us so much and he doesn’t abandon us.”